Wilmington, NC News

Archive for October, 2009

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A former New Hanover County K-9 officer was in court Wednesday facing allegations of molestation.

Thomas Prokop was fired in 2008, after he was charged with first-degree sex offense and indecent liberties with a minor.

Today, a special agent investigator from the SBI took the stand; he recalled the interview he conducted with Prokop right after allegations arose. The interview went into detail as to whether Prokop touched a young girl inappropriately. “You made it sound like he all of a sudden started spilling his guts out as if it were a narrative. No that’s not the case, I realize I cannot get into why he started to share that.”

Prokop was with the Sheriff’s Department for more than six years. Yesterday, one six-year-old victim testified via closed circuit television.

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A former New Hanover County K-9 officer was in court Wednesday facing allegations of molestation.

Thomas Prokop was fired in 2008, after he was charged with first-degree sex offense and indecent liberties with a minor.

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Associated poll

About 4,000 people in New Hanover County are waiting for H1N1 vaccines.That’s how long the health department’s waiting list is for the shots, which are in limited supply nationwide.It does not reflect how many people have contacted their own doctor or hospitals about getting innoculated against the virus.

Option 3B, the busing option had more support than in previous forums. This optio on, if selected, would increase socio-economic diversity. It’s also the option the Wilmington NAACP supports. Pastor James Utley remarked: ” we came in on different ships, but now we’re on the same boat, so I ask the school board to wake up.”

Melissa Kirkby exceeded the three minute time limit. When asked to wrap up her speech her final five words spoke volumbes. “please treat our children equal.”

School board chair Ed Higgins tells News Channel 3 that he hopes to have a decision reached by December and he’s ready to get the matter wrapped up.

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The middle school redisticting debate played out one more time Tuesday night. The third and final public forum drew a wider mix of impassioned parents at Williston Middle School.

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Associated poll

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Health officials have confirmed a man in his fifties died recently of the H1N1 virus at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

On Wednesday, the hospital’s director of medicine and two infectious disease experts discussed the flu problem in our area. They said they expect most cases of flu this year will be H1N1. They also said the key is to follow simple health precautions like washing your hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, staying home from work and school if you are sick and getting medical attention if needed.

But they said prevention starts with the H1N1 vaccine.

“We should take this seriously. There is no need for panic. I think really, the key points to drive home is, as Dr. Spicer was just saying, is the importance of getting vaccinated, particularly for those who are at increased risk,” said Paul Kamitsuka, MD.

Those high risk groups include pregnant women, anyone who lives with or cares for a child under six months old, health care and emergency medical workers, anyone six months to 24 years old, and anyone aged 25 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for flu.

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Health officials have confirmed a man in his fifties died recently of the H1N1 virus at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.